[Travel](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/) › [Guides](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/) › [Basque Country](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/)

# Guide to Basque Country
To visit Basque Country, check entry requirements, connectivity and this guide’s local references.

The Basque Country combines contemporary cultural cities, harbours and green landscapes. Grill houses, markets and cider houses reveal its relationship with produce.

[Places in Basque Country · 5 catalog places →](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/pais-vasco/)
## Visa for your trip
Your passport countrySelect countryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAntigua & BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBhutanBoliviaBosnia & HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaColombiaComorosCongo - BrazzavilleCongo - KinshasaCosta RicaCôte d’IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFijiFinlandFranceGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong Kong SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacao SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmar (Burma)NamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSamoaSan MarinoSão Tomé & PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSt. Kitts & NevisSt. LuciaSt. Vincent & GrenadinesSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTongaTrinidad & TobagoTunisiaTürkiyeTurkmenistanTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamYemenZambiaZimbabweChoose the passport you travel with. The lookup adapts automatically.

Conditions and other situationsShort tourist stays with an ordinary passport. Residence, other visas, stay length and transit can change the requirement. Check with the authority before booking or travelling.

[Destination source](https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visados-Schengen.aspx) · [Check itinerary with IATA](https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm)

Enable JavaScript to adapt this lookup to your passport. You can also check the destination source.

## eSIM and connectivity
Compare Saily and Airalo plans. Check destination coverage and phone compatibility on the provider’s website.

[Saily ↗](https://tripguroo.com/api/affiliate/go/esim?source=guide&lang=en)[Airalo ↗](https://tripguroo.com/api/affiliate/go/esim-airalo?source=guide&lang=en)

Affiliate links: we may earn a commission on purchases.

## Currency and payments
Euro (EUR) · Euro (EUR) · Euro (EUR) · Euro (EUR) · Euro (EUR)

## Embassy
Missions are filtered by your passport country. Confirm services, opening hours and appointments with the mission.

View 179 missions and contacts
### [Embassy of Andorra, Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102535542)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102535542)
### [Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates, Barcelona](https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/en/missions/uae-missions-abroad/uae-missions-abroad-details?countryId=9c459907-85ea-4da7-a547-e294e7122163)
Barcelona

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q80307354)
### [Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Madrid](https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/en/missions/uae-missions-abroad/uae-missions-abroad-details?countryId=9c459907-85ea-4da7-a547-e294e7122163)
Madrid

Calle Hernández de Tejada 7, 28027 Madrid[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q80308755)
### [Embassy of Afghanistan, Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105161136)
Madrid

Calle de Moralzarzal, 44[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105161136)
### [embassy of Antigua and Barbuda in Spain](https://embassy.ag/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q97279023)
### [Embassy of Albania, Madrid](https://ambasadat.gov.al/spain/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105161248)
### [embassy of Armenia in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105168604)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105168604)
### [Embassy of Angola, Madrid](http://www.embajadadeangola.com/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25430840)
### [Consulate General of Argentina in Barcelona](https://cbarc.cancilleria.gob.ar/)
Barcelona / Dreta de l'Eixample

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108783864)
### [embassy of Argentina in Spain](https://eespa.cancilleria.gob.ar/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105167917)
### [embassy of Austria in Spain](https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-madrid/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104666098)
### [embassy of Australia in Spain](https://spain.embassy.gov.au/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105160437)
### [Embassy of Azerbaijan, Madrid](https://madrid.mfa.gov.az/)
Madrid

Calle Ronda Avutarda 38[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12836910)
### [embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105171431)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105171431)
### [Embassy of Bangladesh, Madrid](http://www.bangladeshembassy.es/)
Madrid

Calle Manuel Marañón 13[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83584276)
### [Embassy of Belgium, Madrid](https://spain.diplomatie.belgium.be/)
Madrid

Paseo de la Castellana, 18 Madrid[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104518694)
### [Consulate General of Bulgaria in Barcelona](https://www.mfa.bg/es/embassies/spain-barcelona)
Barcelona

Avinguda de la Riera de Cassoles, 54, 08012 Barcelona[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122186978)
### [embassy of Bulgaria in Spain](https://www.mfa.bg/embassies/spain)
Madrid

Travesía de Santa María Magdalena 15[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105175279)
### [Consulate General of Bulgaria in Valencia](https://www.mfa.bg/embassies/spaingk)
Valencia

c./ Antonio Suárez, 48; 46021 Valencia[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131421389)
### [embassy of Bolivia in Spain](https://www.embajadadebolivia.es/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105170240)
### [Embassy of Brazil, Madrid](http://madri.itamaraty.gov.br/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10272257)
### [embassy of Belarus in Spain](http://spain.mfa.gov.by/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105169605)
### [embassy of Canada in Spain](https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/spain-espagne)
Madrid

Paseo de la Castellana 259D[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104347971)
### [embassy of Democratic Republic of the Congo in Spain](http://ambardcmadrid.com/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105179047)
### [embassy of Switzerland in Spain](https://www.eda.admin.ch/madrid)
Madrid

Calle de Núñez de Balboa 35A, 28001 Madrid[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101242980)
### [embassy of Ivory Coast in Spain](http://www.espagne.diplomatie.gouv.ci/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105203272)
### [Consulate General of Chile in Barcelona](https://chile.gob.cl/barcelona/)
Barcelona / Dreta de l'Eixample

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108737914)
### [embassy of Chile in Spain](https://chile.gob.cl/espana/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105176635)
### [embassy of Cameroon in Spain](http://ambacammadrid.es/)
Madrid

Calle de Moralzarzal, 44[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105176272)
### [Consulate-General of China in Barcelona](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56064812)
Barcelona / Casa Carme Andreu / Sant Gervasi-la Bonanova

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56064812)
### [Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Madrid](http://es.chineseembassy.org/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105177036)
### [Consular Section of the Chinese Embassy in Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111086811)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111086811)
### [Embassy of Colombia, Madrid](http://espana.embajada.gov.co/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5369631)
### [embassy of Costa Rica in Spain](http://www.embajadacostarica.es/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105204208)
### [embassy of Cuba, Madrid](http://misiones.minrex.gob.cu/es/espana)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105205005)
### [embassy of Cape Verde in Spain](http://embcv.es/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105175918)
### [embassy of Cyprus in Spain](http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/Embassies/Embassy_Madrid.nsf)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105178215)
### [Czech Embassy, Madrid](https://www.mzv.cz/madrid)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q84611280)
### [Consulate General of Germany, Barcelona](https://barcelona.diplo.de/)
Barcelona

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108765617)
### [German Consulate Las Palmas de Gran Canaria](https://las-palmas.diplo.de/)
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Calle Albareda, 3 -2°, 35007 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131400615)
### [Embassy of Germany, Madrid](https://spanien.diplo.de/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26839065)
### [German Consulate Málaga](https://malaga.diplo.de/)
Málaga

dificio Eurocom, Bloque Sur, c/ Mauricio Moro Pareto, 2 - 5°, 29006 Málaga[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131400642)
### [German Consulate Palma](https://palma.diplo.de/)
Palma

C/ Porto Pi, 8, 3°-D, 07015 Palma[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131400659)
### [embassy of Denmark in Spain](https://spanien.um.dk/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105205315)
### [embassy of the Dominican Republic in Spain](https://www.embajadadominicana.es/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105338138)
### [Algerian Consulate, Barcelona](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108783698)
Barcelona / Sant Gervasi-la Bonanova

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108783698)
### [Embassy of Algeria, Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100268067)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100268067)
### [embassy of Ecuador in Spain](https://espana.embajada.gob.ec/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105205857)
### [embassy of Estonia in Madrid](https://madrid.mfa.ee/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q65261890)
### [embassy of Egypt in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105206135)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105206135)
### [Embassy of Finland in Spain](https://finlandabroad.fi/web/esp)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105233106)
### [consulat général de France à Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73394602)
[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73394602)
### [Consulate General of France, Barcelona](https://barcelone.consulfrance.org/)
Barcelona

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73415500)
### [Consulate general of France, Bilbao](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73415058)
Bilbao

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73415058)
### [Embassy of France, Madrid](https://es.ambafrance.org/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1129830)
### [Consulate General of France, Sevilla](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73382561)
Seville

Plaza de Santa Cruz, 1[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73382561)
### [embassy of Gabon in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105235091)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105235091)
### [British Consulate Alicante](https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-alicante)
Alicante

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59290321)
### [British Consulate General Barcelona](https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-barcelona)
Barcelona

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59290324)
### [British Consulate Ibiza](https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-ibiza)
Ibiza

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59290326)
### [British Consulate Las Palmas de Gran Canaria](https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-las-palmas-de-gran-canaria)
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59290329)
### [Embassy of the United Kingdom, Madrid](https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-madrid/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20921797)
### [British Consulate Malaga](https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-malaga)
Málaga

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59290330)
### [British Consulate Palma de Mallorca](https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-palma-de-mallorca)
Palma

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59290332)
### [British Consulate Santa Cruz de Tenerife](https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-santa-cruz-de-tenerife)
Santa Cruz de Tenerife

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59290334)
### [Consulate General of Georgia in Barcelona](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108741341)
Barcelona / Dreta de l'Eixample

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108741341)
### [embassy of Georgia in Spain](http://spain.mfa.gov.ge/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105235732)
### [embassy of Ghana in Spain](https://madrid.mfa.gov.gh/)
Madrid

Calle de Hernández de Tejada, 10[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105236676)
### [Embassy of Gambia, Madrid](https://www.gambiaembassy.es/)
Madrid

Calle Hernández Iglesias, 20b[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q103822259)
### [embassy of Guinea in Spain](https://guineamadrid.es/)
Madrid

Calle Luis Muriel, 4[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105241304)
### [embassy of Equatorial Guinea in Spain](https://www.xn--embajadadeguineaecuatorialenespaa-yfd.com/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105242368)
### [embassy of Greece in Spain](https://www.mfa.gr/spain/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105237996)
### [embassy of Guatemala in Spain](https://embajadaguatemala.es/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105239404)
### [embassy of Guinea-Bissau in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105241993)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105241993)
### [embassy of Honduras in Spain](https://www.embajadahondurases.com/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105275262)
### [embassy of Croatia in Spain](http://es.mvep.hr/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105204457)
### [embassy of Haiti in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105233394)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105233394)
### [Consulate General of Hungary in Barcelona, Spain](https://barcelona.mfa.gov.hu/)
Barcelona

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138691376)
### [Embassy of Hungary, Madrid](https://madrid.mfa.gov.hu/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q63039319)
### [embassy of Indonesia, Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105279781)
Madrid

Calle de Agastia, 65[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105279781)
### [embassy of Ireland in Spain](https://www.ireland.ie/en/spain/madrid/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104782626)
### [embassy of Israel in Spain](https://embassies.gov.il/madrid)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105280729)
### [Embassy of India, Madrid](https://www.eoimadrid.gov.in/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105275822)
### [Embassy of Iraq, Madrid](https://www.mofa.gov.iq/madrid/)
Madrid

Calle del Carril del Conde 56[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q68607969)
### [embassy of Iran in Spain](https://spain.mfa.gov.ir/)
Madrid

Calle de Jerez, 5[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105277435)
### [Consulate of Italy in Barcelona](https://consbarcellona.esteri.it/consolato_barcellona)
Barcelona

carrer d'Aribau, 185[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108674058)
### [Embassy of Italy in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59828249)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59828249)
### [embassy of Jordan in Spain](http://www.consuladojordania.com/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105281301)
### [Consulate-General of Japan, Barcelona](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q45123628)
Barcelona / Les Corts

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q45123628)
### [Embassy of Japan, Madrid](https://www.es.emb-japan.go.jp/)
Chamartín

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44770661)
### [Consulate of Japan, Las Palmas](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51781327)
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51781327)
### [embassy of Kenya in Spain](http://www.kenyaembassyspain.es/)
Madrid

Calle de Moralzarzal, 44[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105282266)
### [Consulate of South Korea in Barcelona](https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/es-barcelona-es/index.do)
Barcelona

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108828779)
### [Consulate of the Republic of Korea, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q80648673)
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Luis Doreste Silva 60, Edificio 101, 35004 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q80648673)
### [Embassy of South Korea, Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55734504)
Madrid

Calle de González Amigo 15[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55734504)
### [embassy of Kuwait in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105282567)
Madrid

Avenida de Miraflores, 61[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105282567)
### [Embassy of Kazakhstan, Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104771150)
Madrid

Avenida de los Madroños, 43[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104771150)
### [embassy of Lebanon in Spain](http://www.madrid.mfa.gov.lb/spain)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105240072)
### [Embassy of Lithuania, Madrid](http://es.mfa.lt/)
Madrid

Calle del Pisuerga, 5[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105301970)
### [embassy of Luxembourg in Spain](https://madrid.mae.lu/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104891167)
### [embassy of Latvia in Spain](https://www.mfa.gov.lv/spain)
Madrid

Calle Moreto, 5[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105301473)
### [embassy of Libya in Spain](http://www.embajadadelibia.com/)
Madrid

Avenida del Comandante Franco, 32[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105275828)
### [General Consulate of Morocco, Algesiras](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876274)
Algeciras

C/Teniente Maroto, N° 2 1Er Commercial-11201 Algesiras - Cadiz[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876274)
### [General Consulate of Morocco, Almeria](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876365)
Almería city

Avenida Del Mediterraneo, Esquina Sierra Alhamilla, Edificio Palmera N°178 - 3A Planta (Cortijo Grande) Cp 04007- Almeria[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876365)
### [General Consulate of Morocco, Barcelone](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876368)
Barcelona

68-70 Calle Diputacion 08 015 Barcelona[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876368)
### [General Consulate of Morocco, Bilbao](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876277)
Bilbao

Alameda Rekalde,27 6° Planta-48009 Bilbao Vizcaya[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876277)
### [General Consulate of Morocco, Girona](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124365033)
Girona

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124365033)
### [General Consulate of Morocco, Las Palmas](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876278)
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

N°14 Edificio Britania Calle Pelayo -35010 Las Palmas De Gran Canaria[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876278)
### [Embassy of Morocco in Spain](http://www.embajada-marruecos.es/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105303073)
### [General Consulate of Morocco, Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876279)
Madrid

C/ Leizaran N° 31 28002 Madrid[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876279)
### [General Consulate of Morocco, Murcia](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124365031)
Murcia City

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124365031)
### [General Consulate of Morocco, Palma de Mallorca](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124365034)
Palma

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124365034)
### [General Consulate of Morocco, Seville](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876280)
Seville city

C/ Camino De Los Descubrimientos, N° 4 Pabellon De La Naturaleza Isla De La Cartuja -C.P. 41092 Sévilla[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876280)
### [General Consulate of Morocco, Tarragone](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876281)
Tarragona City

Carretera De Valencia, National 340, Km 1159.7, N° 192Cp: 43006 Tarragone[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876281)
### [General Consulate of Morocco, Valence](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876282)
Valencia

C/Lapaz N° 38-46003-Valencia[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122876282)
### [embassy of Monaco in Spain](https://ambassade-en-espagne.gouv.mc/)
Madrid

Calle de Villanueva, 12[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104252067)
### [embassy of Moldova in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105240064)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105240064)
### [embassy of Montenegro in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105305410)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105305410)
### [embassy of North Macedonia in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105303445)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105303445)
### [embassy of Mali in Spain](http://www.embajadademali.es/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105304463)
### [embassy of Mauritania in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105323545)
Madrid

Calle Piedralaves, 4[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105323545)
### [embassy of Malta in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105304699)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105304699)
### [Embassy of Malaysia, Madrid](https://www.kln.gov.my/web/esp_madrid)
Madrid

Avenida de los Madroños, 63bis[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105303844)
### [embassy of Mozambique in Spain](https://www.mozambique-emb.es/)
Madrid

Calle Alfonso Rodríguez Santamaría, 8[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105324181)
### [Nigerian Embassy, Madrid](https://www.ng-embassyspain.org/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28944843)
### [embassy of Nicaragua in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105325121)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105325121)
### [Embassy of the Netherlands, Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102442237)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102442237)
### [Embassy of Norway, Madrid](https://www.norway.no/es/spain/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19383584)
### [embassy of Nepal in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105324915)
Madrid

Calle Piedralaves, 4[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105324915)
### [embassy of New Zealand, Madrid](https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/spain/new-zealand-embassy/)
Madrid

Pinar 7, 3rd floor, Madrid 28006[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q75827574)
### [embassy of Oman in Spain](http://www.embajadaomanspain.es/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105326461)
### [Consulate General of Panama, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q79605024)
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q79605024)
### [embassy of Panama in Spain](https://mire.gob.pa/ministerio/embajada-y-consulado/madrid/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5830354)
### [Consulate-General of Peru, Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q120964613)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q120964613)
### [Embassy of Peru, Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17333746)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17333746)
### [Embassy of the Philippines, Madrid](https://www.philembassymadrid.com/)
Madrid

Calle Eresma 2[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60749581)
### [embassy of Pakistan in Spain](http://www.embajada-pakistan.org/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105336872)
### [Consulate General of Poland, Barcelona](http://www.barcelona.msz.gov.pl/)
Barcelona / Les Corts

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48851844)
### [Embassy of Poland, Madrid](https://www.gov.pl/web/hiszpania)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30906092)
### [general delegation of the State of Palestine in Spain](http://www.embajadadepalestina.es/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29448187)
### [embassy of Portugal in Spain](https://madrid.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105337206)
### [Consulate General of Paraguay in Barcelona](https://www.consuladopybcn.com/)
Barcelona / L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108733895)
### [embassy of Paraguay in Spain](http://www.embajadadelparaguay.es/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105336968)
### [Consulate-General of Qatar, Barcelona](https://barcelona.consulate.qa/en)
Casa Francesc Simon

Pg. Gràcia, 3 pral[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108718604)
### [embassy of Qatar in Spain](https://madrid.embassy.qa/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105233387)
### [Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q141611905)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q141611905)
### [Embassy of Romania, Madrid](https://madrid.mae.ro/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q89189318)
### [embassy of Serbia in Spain](http://www.madrid.mfa.gov.rs/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105342468)
### [Russian Embassy, Madrid](https://spain.mid.ru/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4374041)
### [Consulate-General of Russia, Barcelona](https://barcelona.mid.ru/web/barcelona_esp/inicio)
Pedralbes

Avinguda Pearson, 34[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108700838)
### [Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54857085)
Madrid

Doctor Alvarez Sierra, 3[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54857085)
### [embassy of Sudan in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105282667)
Madrid

Avenida de Miraflores, 63[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105282667)
### [Embassy of Sweden, Madrid](https://www.swedenabroad.se/sv/utlandsmyndigheter/spanien-madrid/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10686012)
### [Consulate General of Slovenia in Barcelona, Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19934372)
Barcelona / El Putxet i el Farró

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19934372)
### [Embassy of Slovenia, Madrid](http://madrid.embassy.si/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12805358)
### [embassy of Slovakia in Spain](https://www.mzv.sk/web/madrid)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105206080)
### [embassy of San Marino in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105339362)
Madrid

Calle del Padre Jesús Ordóñez, 18[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105339362)
### [embassy of Senegal in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105342203)
Madrid

Calle de Moralzarzal, 18[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105342203)
### [Embassy of El Salvador in Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73428752)
Madrid

Paseo de la Castellana, 178, 1º D, 28046, Madrid, España[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73428752)
### [embassy of Syria in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105343737)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105343737)
### [embassy of Thailand in Spain](https://madrid.thaiembassy.org/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105344458)
### [Embassy of Tunisia, Madrid](https://www.diplomatie.gov.tn/nc/mission/etranger/ambassade-de-tunisie-a-madrid-espagne/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54874577)
### [Consulate General of Turkey, Barcelona](https://barselona-bk.mfa.gov.tr/)
Eixample

Pg. Gràcia, 7 1er[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28514934)
### [Embassy of Turkey in Madrid](https://madrid-be.mfa.gov.tr/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105357457)
### [Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25059260)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25059260)
### [consulate general of Ukraine in Barcelona, Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111082202)
Barcelona / Les Corts

C/ Numancia 185 bjs II C.P. 08034[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111082202)
### [Embassy of Ukraine, Madrid](http://spain.mfa.gov.ua/)
Madrid

c/Ronda de la Abubilla, 52, 28043 Madrid[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4374069)
### [Consulate general of Ukraine in Málaga, Spain](https://malaga.mfa.gov.ua/)
Málaga

Calle Maestranza, 23[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111082512)
### [Consulate General of the United States in Barcelona](https://es.usembassy.gov/barcelona/)
Barcelona / Torre Godó Eguia

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130349504)
### [Embassy of the United States, Madrid](https://es.usembassy.gov/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26839075)
### [embassy of Uruguay in Spain](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105357643)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105357643)
### [embassy of Uzbekistan in Spain](http://uzbekembassy.es/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104162047)
### [Apostolic Nunciature to Spain](http://nunciaturapostolica.es/)
Apostolic Nunciature in Madrid

Av. de Pío XII, 46[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1993290)
### [embassy of Venezuela in Spain](http://espana.embajada.gob.ve/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105357853)
### [Embassy of Vietnam in Madrid](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q46918989)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q46918989)
### [embassy of Yemen in Spain](http://www.embyemenesp.com/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105358047)
### [embassy of South Africa in Spain](http://www.dirco.gov.za/madrid/)
Madrid

[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105207771)
### [Embajada de México en España](https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/espana)
Madrid

[Source](https://portales.sre.gob.mx/directorio/embajadas-de-mexico-en-el-exterior)
### [Consulado de México en Barcelona](https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/barcelona)
Barcelona

[Source](https://portales.sre.gob.mx/directorio/consulados-de-mexico-en-el-exterior)

## Highlights

### [Vizcaya Bridge](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/unesco-1217/)
UNESCO cultural World Heritage, inscribed in 2006.

### [Guggenheim Museum Bilbao](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/museo-guggenheim-bilbao/)
Contemporary art and titanium architecture beside the Bilbao estuary.

### [Bilbao](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/ciudad-bilbao/)
Contemporary art, Basque cuisine, and an estuary transformed into an urban promenade.

## Complete guide · chapter reading
[Introduction](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/#full-chapter-0) · [Cities](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/#full-chapter-1) · [Other destinations](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/#full-chapter-2) · [Understand](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/#full-chapter-3) · [Talk](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/#full-chapter-4) · [Get in](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/#full-chapter-5) · [Get around](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/#full-chapter-6) · [See](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/#full-chapter-7) · [Do](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/#full-chapter-8) · [Eat](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/#full-chapter-9) · [Drink](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/#full-chapter-10) · [Stay safe](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/#full-chapter-11) · [Respect](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/#full-chapter-12) · [Go next](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/pais-vasco/#full-chapter-13)

## Introduction

The Basque Country (: Euskadi, : País Vasco) is a region in . The name can also refer to all the land of the Basques (Basque: Euskal Herria) from a historical, cultural, linguistic and identity standpoint.

The Basques are the group of people who have inhabited this land for several thousand years.

The Basque Country is one of the world's top culinary destinations, with key gourmet centres in ,  and . It also is popular for its beaches and verdant scenery.

## Cities

— the capital of the autonomous community

(Basque: Bilbo) — largest city of the region, with all the amenities and experiences of a big city

– small town nestled in the mountains, an excellent base for exploring the wilderness

— top-notch fresh seafood at this fishing harbour

(Gernika) — a thriving commercial town with great historical and cultural significance for the Basque people. In 1937 it was devastated by the German air force under the command of the fascists. Bombing was an experiment for WWII.

(Donostia) — a provincial capital curved around a dramatic moon-shaped beach hedged in by cliffs

(Hondarribia) – a fishing town with a walled old town

- a world-renowned surf spot

## Other destinations

Bermeo — the most important fishing port in the Basque Country

Portugalete — suburb of Bilbao with a beautiful old town and port

— a hermitage on an island, connected by a man-made bridge

Treviño enclave — abundance of prehistoric remains

Zumaya (Zumaia) and  (Zarautz) — glorious sandy beaches, not far from San Sebastian

## Understand
History
The oldest remains discovered in the Basque Country are made of stone, dating from the Paleotlithic period (150,000 before Christ). The Neolithic period (4,500 to 2,500 BC) brought about a major change in people's lifestyle: the inhabitants built settlements and began to farm the land and raise livestock. In ancient times, today's Euskal Herria and adjacent areas were inhabited by ancestors of Basques who the Greek historian Strabon considered savages and warriors.

The land of Vascones became a kingdom in the ninth century when the nobles chose Iñigo (824-852) from the Aritza dynasty as king. The kingdom underwent many changes over the next few centuries under Castilian King Ferninand the Catholic invaded and subdued by arms peninsular Navarre Kingdom in 1512.

From the 12th to the 15th centuries villas (towns) and cities emerged, also with their own local fueros or charters and rights granted by kings. It was during this period that the so-called "foral territories" were created and agreements reached with the king, by which he would have authority over the land in exchange for respecting the territorial self-governments or fueros and rights.

The 19th century is characterised by a gradual loss of rights for the Basque people. The Kingdom of Navarre was incorporated as another province in Spain and the other three provinces of the south refused to become a single province, and therefore retained provisional status.

In the late 19th century new ideologies and political movements came into existence, such as socialism but especially Basque nationalism for the restoration of the rights and privileges of the Basque people, as did labour unions.

The first 3 decades of the 20th century came a flurry of political activity, followed by the military uprising led by Franco and a long civil war (1936–1939). In 1936 the Spanish Parliament passed the Basque Statute of Autonomy and Euskadi reestablished its self-government that had been demanding since the abolition of the rights and fueros. The entire Basque Country fell to Franco's troops in July 1937.

The Franco dictatorship (1939–1975) was a dark chapter. As the Basque country had been among the centres of anti-Franco activity and the Basque language was seen as a threat for Franco's vision of Spain, Basque cultural expressions, including the language, were banned. In part as a reaction to that, ETA (Euskadi ta Askatasuna; "Basque country and freedom") formed to violently oppose first the Franco regime. It stayed alive, however, for decades after democratization, fighting for Basque independence but becoming the second largest European terrorist group. They declared a final ceasefire in 2011 and dissolved in 2018. Some small open wounds still remain, especially since the democratic governments of the 1980s used some extra-legal measures in fighting ETA and some former ETA members still hold leadership positions in a political party. See  for context.

With the death of Franco and the transition to democracy in the late 1970s, the Basque language was legalised once more, and gained co-official status with Spanish within the region. It has since grown in use among the youth through school immersion, and the autonomic system provided the Basque Country with control over the police, taxation, education and healthcare, among many others.

Geography
The Basque area (Basque: Euskal Herria) is divided into three different legal and political entities, of which the first is what this article is about:

, the Autonomous Community of Euskadi comprises the territories or provinces of Alava, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa. The capital cities are Vitoria-Gasteiz, Bilbao and Donostia-San Sebastián in the same order.

, the Autonomous Community of Navarre. The capital is Pamplona-Iruña.

Iparralde ("the northern part") or continental Euskal Herria, the French Basque Country in , includes the territories of Lapurdi (French: Labourd), Zuberoa (French: Soule) and Behenafarroa (Lower Navarre; French: Basse Navarre). The capital cities are Baiona, Maule and Donibane Garazi (French: Bayonne, Maule, and Saint Jean Pied de Port, respectively).

Two of these administrative regions (A.C. of Euskadi and the A.C. of Navarre) are in Hegoalde (literally, the southern part in the Basque language) or peninsular Euskal Herria. The southern and northern Basque Country are divided into two states: Spain and France.

Euskal Herria is therefore the combination of seven historical territories divided into these three administrative regions.

Although today the term Euskal Herria defines a historical and cultural entity rather than a unified political or administrative region, it does share a significant amount of common heritage, culture, language, history and identity.

Often the term Basque Country is used to refer only to the autonomous zone (Euskadi), but mostly it refers to all the Basque region (Euskal Herria), including Navarre and the Basque territories in France.

## Talk
The official languages of this Spanish region are  (Euskara) and Spanish. Spanish is the most widely spoken language, but there are Basque speakers as well. Practically everyone speaks fluent Spanish and Spanish is the language of choice in the larger cities like Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz, or San Sebastian, while Basque is more spoken in the countryside and again, most are bilingual in Basque and Spanish. 700,000 out of the Basque country's population of 2,100,000 speak Basque. From the region's location, you might expect this language to be a blend of Spanish and French, but Basque is unrelated to either of them and in fact, seems to be unrelated to any other known language.

Basque's large collection of grammatical cases, agglutinative morphology, and extensive use of suffixes to construct simple sentences make it a notoriously difficult language to master. Although the average traveller can get by with Spanish, any attempts to speak Basque or learn a few phrases will go a long way. The Basques are well aware of the fact that their language is difficult for foreigners and they don't expect you to be fluent in it.

In terms of foreign languages, the Basque Country is a bit of an anomaly in Spain. While the rest of the country is not known for its fluency in languages other than Spanish, Basques are more likely to be polyglots. English is not widely spoken, but staff members in major hotels and tourist areas will definitely know a few essential sentences, and most young people can carry a decent conversation. This also applies to German and French, the latter being widely spoken and understood in the areas bordering France.

## Get in
By plane

-Bilbo: [Airport](http://www.aena.es/en/bilbao-airport/index.html) is the largest in Basque Country, with a stunning terminal building designed by Santiago Calatrava. It has cheap flights with Easyjet from  and with Vueling from  and . There are many connections from other European cities with other companies as Iberia, Lufthansa or Bruxelles Airlines.

San Sebastián-Donostia: Regular flights from Madrid, Barcelona, and London-City.

: (VIT) The smallest of the three Basque airports, served by a few Ryanair routes

: has flights with Ryanair, easyJet, and several major airlines.

By train
There are a handful of daily frequencies from Madrid and Barcelona to all three cities, with Vitoria getting more places since they are along a mainline. None of the trains are high-speed, but the times are similar to driving. All those trains are operated by Renfe. You can also reach the Hendaye station, in the French-Spanish border, through SNCF trains from Paris or Bordeaux.

All trains, except for the Renfe Media Distancia ones (slow but cheap), change prices as the travel date gets closer.

By bus
Daily connections with Madrid and Barcelona from Bilbo/Bilbao, Donostia/San Sebastian, Gasteiz/Vitoria and Iruña/Pamplona.

By car
The motorway between Paris and Madrid goes through Baiona/Bayonne, Donostia/San Sebastian and Vitoria/Gasteiz. The tolls between Baiona and Donostia are pretty expensive. Another motorway links Iruña/Pamplona with Barcelona. There are motorways between all the main cities: Bilbo-Gasteiz, Bilbo-Donostia, Donostia-Iruña, Gasteiz-Iruña.

By thumb
Sooner or later people usually stop. It's better to hitchhike at the exits of the towns where the traffic is calmer than on the motorways. So many long-distance truck routes cross the Basque Country it should be quite easy to find someone to take you directly from .

## Get around
By train
For trips between capitals, the train is very inconvenient by train: the Bilbao-San Sebastián one is frequent, cheap (4€), and has good views, but it takes 3 hours whereas the bus completes the route in just over 1 hour. The San Sebastián-Vitoria train exists, but it is infrequent, it takes 2 hours and for around 15€, which the bus usually beats. They might be convenient if you are staying in a town along those routes, but not for city-to-city trips. There is no Bilbao-Vitoria train.

Inside each province, the situation varies. There is an extensive train and bus network in Biscay (Cercanías Bilbao and Euskotren), although often radial around Bilbao. The same happens in Gipuzkoa, although the train network is not so extensive (Cercanías San Sebastián and Euskotren). Araba has only one infrequent train line with only five stops (whose services you can look up at renfe.com), but the tram in the city and the buses in the province are reliable.

You can pay for all services with Barik, BAT or Mugi. Each card corresponds to a territory, but they can be used in all other services, except the Renfe ones, which only admit Barik in Biscay and Mugi in Gipuzkoa. The San Sebastián-Vitoria train and the Araba train need to be booked beforehand at Renfe's website).

By bus
There are frequent and cheap buses to move between the three capitals. Inside each territory, the situation varies, but they are overall good. They are Bizkaibus, Álava Bus and Lurraldebus, and many big towns have their local services too. Be on the lookout for "autopista" routes (highway) that can be faster. You can pay for all services with Barik, BAT or Mugi.

By car
The roads are well signposted, but watch out for occasional monolingual signs in Basque.

## See

Guggenheim Museumin  is world-renowned for its contemporary architecture and modern art. It was designed by Frank Gehry, and opened in 1997.

Listing reviewed2024-05-26

[Official website](https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/en)

Visit the  in Basque Country

Urdaibai

Alava
Alava, along with its neighbor La Rioja, on the other bank of the Ebro River, produces world-class wines and is especially famous for its robust reds.

Situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains, Alava offers an easy rolling landscape, mild climate and vineyards everywhere. It is an ideal place for wineries to multiply, spread, consolidate and, in the process, amass large quantities of money for their owners. As these fortunes grow, new brands need to be created and fresh images must be marketed. One way some wineries achieve this is by using avant-garde architecture for the construction of their buildings.

In the little town of Elciego, the Marques de Riscal winery has one of these futuristic buildings designed by world-famous architect Frank Gehry (he also designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, a hundred miles or so to the north). This time, however, he "pushed the envelope" (so to speak) of the Guggenheim style. He made the Guggenheim convoluted shapes flow more freely as if a storm were blowing on the outer surfaces and making them flap like flags in the wind. The result is absolutely astonishing. The sole purpose for the edifice is to be a temple to Bacchus, the god of wine!

A few miles away, just outside Laguardia, Santiago Calatrava, another famous architect, has created the Isios winery. (His work includes the modern Olympic stadium in Athens, Greece, and the ultra-modern City of Arts and Sciences/Performing Arts Centre, in Valencia, Spain.) Although not as much "out-on-the-edge" as the Marques de Riscal winery, its soaring, wavy roof set against the backdrop of the blue sky and the green mountain range is a sight to see.

The industrialist Solomon R. Guggenheim was inspired by Baroness Hilla Rebay von Ehrenwiesen's love for modern art. Rebay laid more emphasis on art that is non-objective. Guggenheim is known for his debates on abstract art with Robert Delaunay, Albert Gleizes, and Wassily Kandinsky. Kandinsky's Composition 8 was purchased by Guggenheim, which made the entire collection famous

## Do

Come in mid-August for Bilbao's annual week-long festival.

Sun, sea, sand and surf at numerous beaches along the coast from France towards Bilbao.

Hiking, there a lot of possibilities all over the country.

## Eat

Pintxos

## Drink
Txakoli: white wine from the regions of Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, also now produced in a part of Araba/Alava.

Rioja wines: produced in La Rioja, south of Araba/Alava and southwest of Nafarroa/Navarra.

Cider (Sagardoa in Basque): is not like British or Nordic cider, it doesn't have gas and is more similar to the wine. Is mostly produced in Gipuzkoa around Donostia/San Sebastian but also in some parts of Nafarroa/Navarra and Bizkaia. In winter between January and March the cider cellars are open as restaurants where you can have dinner and you drink all the cider you want.

Kalimotxo: low quality wine with coke. Typical drink of teenagers and for parties.

Patxaran: sloe liquor. Typical after dinner. Tastes a bit like the cough medicine 'Night Nurse'.

Beer: if you want a tap beer (normally cheaper) you can ask caña or half caña called zurito. Normally the glass is not filled to the top and depending on the place, the barman or your face it could be a big or small measure.

## Stay safe
With a rate of only 33.4 crimes per 1000 inhabitants, the Basque Country has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. Even in big cities, only a few areas (San Francisco in Bilbao, for example) are best avoided. Although violent crime is extremely rare, the usual precautions still apply; avoid being alone at night in side streets, keep an eye on pickpockets, and you should do just fine.

The ETA, which regarded itself the Basque national liberation army, declared a permanent ceasefire and cessation of armed activity in 2011, and surrendered its weapons to the French authorities in 2017. It never targeted visitors.

Although they have also become rarer, there is a chance of seeing acts of vandalism related to radical pro-independence movements, specially if you visit the Basque Country during a big pro-independence-demonstration day or politically relevant dates (the Gudari Eguna, the Aberri Eguna and some city festivals). Don't be alarmed, if you find yourself in the middle of a fight between the police and violent demonstrators: do what the Basques do, and go to the next street. In 30 minutes, everything will be probably finished.

It is advisable not to wear any Spanish symbols (Spain's national football (soccer) team T-shirts, Spanish flags or Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid club paraphernalia). Although no assaults on people wearing them have been recorded, some people may find them offensive or disrespectful, especially those who are supporters of Basque independence.

## Respect
Basque politics are noted for being very complex, as the Basques are divided into several opposing camps – some who desire full independence from Spain, some who desire more autonomy, and some who are happy with the area's current status in Spain. Tread on political discussions carefully – Know the position that being a visitor puts you in.

## Go next
The charms of southwest , in particular the beach resorts and town of , are a short hop across the border. Or travel due east to explore the rugged . To the west, Spain offers the mountains and coastline of  and , the terminus of the pilgrim route to . Head south to  and central Spain.

Other towns in the French Basque Country include  (Baiona),  (Donibane Garazi) and Mauléon-Licharre (Maule) – today bucolic places that combine the purest Basque tradition with French finesse. For centuries were sites of battles.

(Iruña) is the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Navarre, where kings reigned all Basques. Today famous for the holidays and San Fermin festival that Ernest Miller Hemingway helped spread worldwide.

Text by Wikivoyage contributors. Article edition: 2026-08-30T20:03:40Z · [Source and revision](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5339195) · [Authors and history](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Basque%20Country&action=history) · [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

## Local food

### Bacalao al pil-pil
Cod in an emulsion of oil and its juices.

### Bacalao a la vizcaína
Cod with choricero-pepper sauce.

### Marmitako
Tuna and potato stew.

### Txipirones en su tinta
Small squid in ink sauce.

### Merluza en salsa verde
Fish with parsley-and-garlic sauce.

### Alubias de Tolosa
Beans with traditional accompaniments.

### Goxua
Custard, sponge and cream dessert.

### Pantxineta
Custard-filled puff pastry with almonds.

## Local drinks

### Txakoli
Wine from Basque appellations.

Contains alcohol

### Sagardoa
Apple cider.

Contains alcohol

Plan your itinerary
### Getting around
Combine Bilbao, San Sebastián and Vitoria-Gasteiz by intercity transport.

### Plan well
Spend a day in coastal villages or inland, alongside major museums.

### Connect with the place
At bars, ask how counter pintxos are ordered and paid for.

Local reading and routes
### [Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Vitoria-Gasteiz)
the capital of the autonomous community

### [Bilbao](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/ciudad-bilbao/)
(Basque: Bilbo) — largest city of the region, with all the amenities and experiences of a big city

### [Balmaseda](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Balmaseda)
small town nestled in the mountains, an excellent base for exploring the wilderness

### [Getaria](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Getaria)
top-notch fresh seafood at this fishing harbour

### [Guernica](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Guernica)
(Gernika) — a thriving commercial town with great historical and cultural significance for the Basque people. In 1937 it was devastated by the German air force under the command of the fascists. Bombing was an experiment for WWII.

### [San Sebastian](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/ciudad-san-sebastian/)
(Donostia) — a provincial capital curved around a dramatic moon-shaped beach hedged in by cliffs

### [Fuenterrabía](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Hondarribia)
(Hondarribia) – a fishing town with a walled old town

### [Mundaka](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Mundaka)
a world-renowned surf spot

### [Bermeo](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Basque_Country#Other_destinations)
the most important fishing port in the Basque Country

### [Portugalete](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Basque_Country#Other_destinations)
suburb of Bilbao with a beautiful old town and port

### [Treviño enclave](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Basque_Country#Other_destinations)
abundance of prehistoric remains

### [Zumaya](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Basque_Country#Other_destinations)
(Zumaia) and Zarauz (Zarautz) — glorious sandy beaches, not far from San Sebastian

### [Guggenheim Museum](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Basque_Country#See)
in Bilbao is world-renowned for its contemporary architecture and modern art. It was designed by Frank Gehry, and opened in 1997.

## Sources
[Euskadi Tourism — dishes](https://turismo.euskadi.eus/en/typical-dishes-and-snacks/) · [Euskadi Tourism — eating out](https://turismo.euskadi.eus/es/dondecomer/)Wikivoyage contributors; selection, abridgement, translation and regional planning by TRIPGUROO · CC BY-SA 4.0

[CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) · [Wikivoyage · Basque Country](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5339195)

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